A Letter to Harvey Milk

See it if You want to see a musical that is very entertaining and thought provoking. You want to laugh and be entertained. You have an open mind.

Don't see it if You want to miss a very good musical that talks about relevant issues. You don't want to laugh. You don't like musicals.

See it if you like lovely shows with a surprising depth you didn't expect. Some very funny lines.

Don't see it if shows about Jewish or gay people are not your cup of tea. You want a great score - the music was pretty straight-forward and forgettable.

See it if unexpected connections between a lonely old Jewish man, Harvey Milk, and a writer. Heart touching themes of love, lost, and homophobia

Don't see it if Mediocre singing from the male lead. Holocaust, guns, and murder are triggering

Also Ticket from in-person rush for $25.

See it if you appreciate generational- and gender - identity communications bridging and Jewish humor and irony in a touching musical tragi-comedy

Don't see it if you are not interested in LGBTQ emotional and political struggle or musicals, prefer elaborate sets, costumes, stronger score, short 1 act

See it if you're a fan of Jewish humor and want to hear some good singing.

Don't see it if you're put off by same sex relationships and have a limited Yiddish vocabulary.

See it if Like small musicals about a relationship across generations.

Don't see it if Hate cliched unnecessary humor that ruins the nice atory that is actually there

See it if You like your musicals to have heart and be about something meaningful

Don't see it if You want major production numbers and choreography , this is a chamber piece

See it if you'd enjoy a small endearing sweet warm inter-generational & inter-cultural musical w/very funny clever lyrics, deeply-moving book & music.

Don't see it if you want to see a mega-musical. Lots thrown in: death, Jewish humor, gay story-line(s), family banishment, the Holocaust, in under 100min.

Also The twist at the end will leave you motionless.

Adam Heller ("Harry") is powerful, on-stage for the ENTIRE show. Great singing, very moving portrayal of a widower, still speaking with his hysterically funny dead wife (Cheryl Stern as "Frannie"). His moving story-line twist at the end leaves him, others on-stage, and many in the audience, w/tears streaming down our faces. I don't know how the hell they sang the last song while crying.

Julia Knitel ("Barbara" the writing teacher) is masterful. Excellent singing and acting throughout. Definitely the stand-out of the show.

Kudos to the 4-person band sitting above the very cool stage. Beautiful accompaniment to the singers, as well as transition/background music.

RUN and see it before it closes. It will stay with you for a few days. I'm tempted to see it again on closing-night... AND I DID... LAST SHOW WAS VERY MOVING.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to have a wonderful theatrical experience that is relevant and a must-see for the world in today's times.

Don't see it if You don't want too see plays dealing with important issues such as Anti Semitism and Homophobia.

See it if You haven't had your fill of stories about gay life in the 80s. You don't mind seeing a show that's a little rough around the edges.

Don't see it if You can't stand cheese.

See it if you want to see a sweet musical about the human heart and connecting with someone who you identify with, and want to protect from the world.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy musicals that could be sappy to some and touch on gay and human rights.

See it if A new take on a Gay Pride hero. Brings together middle class and religious stereotypes offering a new angel on how to relate to Milk,

Don't see it if You are anti LGBTQ life, thinkling, rights. If you do not care for the reflections of an old Jewish couple talking about Milk.

See it if you like small-scale but big-of-heart musicals. Touching story of widower & a young lesbian who connect through Harvey Milk's story/legacy.

Don't see it if you're not prepared to feel the pain of secrets, the joy of finding connection, and the power of memory and love. Good music, great lyrics!

See it if you enjoy stories of people bridging their differences and finding their commonality. This was a beautiful story and told in a clever way.

Don't see it if you have no interest in LGBT or Jewish stories and don't believe (to quote Kinky Boots) you can change the world if you change your mind.

Also This show was a refreshing surprise to me. After losing a string of Broadway lotteries, I bought a rush ticket to this beautiful little show and instantly felt like a winner! It is a shame that it played to a half-empty house. It deserves to be seen. Adam Heller was phenomenal as Harry and Julia Knitel was an exquisite Barbara. Cheryl Stern (who also co-wrote the book and lyrics for the show) was hilarious as Frannie and the ensemble members were strong as well. It is a small musical, but it is beautiful and poignant and I hope it continues to develop momentum and get seen.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy stories about friendship between 2 unlikely protagonists--they had great chemistry even though role of Sarah was an understudy.

Don't see it if you are unfamiliar with Jewish culture or Yiddish. If you are uninterested in gay themes. If you expect this to be about Harvey Milk.

See it if Unlikely intergenerational friendship tells the story through a series of flashbacks from a letter written as an assignment.

Don't see it if Expect a full blown musical.

See it if You enjoy shows that deal with Jewish and or LGBT history. You enjoy more "traditional" new musicals. This one feels like a throwback.

Don't see it if You like your contemporary theatre more on the contemporary side.

Also This show was a wonderful labour of love. At the final curtain Adam Heller acknowledged every person on the creative and technical team by name, without any sort of notes. He knew all the stage hands, etc. And it showed onstage, the whole show had a warm and friendly feel to it.

Having that said, the show itself warm as it is, definitely feels like a throwback. And I think for someone who feels that contemporary theatre has lost a little bit of that Shtetl warmth, this show could be a breath of fresh air.

Personally I found the direction and script a little bit stiff.

I enjoyed the music but felt that the orchestrations could have benefited from replacing the drums/percussion chair with a bassist. But the musicians were all wonderful.

Where the show succeeds is in the little things. Like their #GraitudeNow campaign, along with the post-cards given out to write your own letter of appreciation.

I definitely hope this show has life in regional theatre!... Read more Read less

See it if a moving story, excellent cast, engaging lyrics and music and good Jewish humor appeal; timely and topical. I aughed and cried.

Don't see it if inconsistencies in the quality of the work will annoy you.

Also Loved the back story to Harvey Milk's real life tragedy (even if it was possibly fabricated). Musically, some moments of over-sentimentality and rhyming couplets detract from what is otherwise a very fine work. To my surprise, it brought tears to my eyes (at least twice). I could have lived without some of the Jewish mother stereotypes. But that role did add humor. See it.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a story about Jews and the gay community. The husband and wife interacting were the best part As well as the flashback.

Don't see it if You do not like Jewish stereotypes.

See it if I made sure I saw this during Pride month- Harvey Milk is still relevant today and what he's done for the LGBT movement. This takes place

Don't see it if Mostly after his death. It balanced Judaism and homosexuality. Musically, I wasn't feeling the score, but, overall good play. Good set.

See it if You enjoy a story loosely based on an historical event with a clever twist and some nifty lyrics

Don't see it if If you're homophobic you won't appreciate this show

See it if you enjoy light musicals with both comedy and drama, along with some stereotypical Yiddish phrases

Don't see it if you're not interested in gay problems in political history, don't enjoy Jewish humor

Also Well-acted, with just enough of a musical touch and live background music.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a fan of good singing and acting. The play tells a story that is relevant to all

Don't see it if you are looking for a big blockbuster show or are offended by plays with Gay or Jewish themes

See it if It helps to be Jewish or gay or both but the message is powerful and affecting.

Don't see it if You are anti Semitic or homophobic.

See it if you like small musicals with a sensitive book.

Don't see it if you only like big musicals with huge dance numbers